2008 Woodie Awards
Campus group helps sex victims
By: Brian McLean
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Lifeline
- Page 1 of 1
Sexual assault robs people of more than material possessions - they lose dignity and confidence, said Steve Thompson.
But Thompson, sexual aggression services coordinator, said Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates is here to help.
"Anything having to do with sexual aggression, (SAPA members are) very well-trained," he said.
The trauma for victims of sexual assault can lead them to blame or question themselves, Thompson said. He said communication eases recuperation.
Victims never bring sexual assault upon themselves, he said.
"They don't feel a lot of support in our culture because of all the ignorance," he said.
SAPA offers a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week confidential crisis line that can be reached at 774-2255.
The group has made more than 300 contacts during the past year, Thompson said.
"Where would these survivors go if there wasn't a SAPA?" he said.
In addition, Thompson said SAPA puts on roughly one campus program week, including the "No Zebras, No Excuses" program.
Required to register
All convicted sex offenders are required to register in a public sex offender database for between 10 years and life, depending on the severity of their crimes, after they are released from prison, according to Michigan law.
The registry can be found at mipsor.state.mi.us.
"I think that just keeps people informed of the sex offenders who are living in their community," said Michigan State Police trooper Jim Ciochetto.
He said universities do not draw a large number of sex offenders. Sex offenders come from, not to, communities, he said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Isabella County had 157 registered sex offenders, according to the registry.
Ciochetto said the Mount Pleasant Michigan State Police post has experienced an influx in reported sexual offenses during the past few years, though that might mean only reports, not the acts themselves, are more frequent.
Convicted sex offenders have to report and present a valid photo ID once every few months, Ciochetto said.
And upon moving, sex offenders have 10 days to register their new addresses. Failure to do so is a felony, according to Michigan law.
"We're very strict on the laws here," Ciochetto said.
For failing to register a new address, Ciochetto said, 18 people were arrested at the Mount Pleasant post in 2006.
To enforce the law, Ciochetto said the state police periodically make sweeps, visiting and verifying the addresses listed on sex offenders' IDs.
Expulsion a punishment
The university determines and expels students for sexual offenses on a case-by-case basis, university officials said.
Marcie Otteman, acting director of admissions, said a committee reviews all student applications marked with felonies, considering student safety first and foremost.
"What would this person's relationship be with the community at large?" she said.
Tony Voisin, director of student life, said the university conducts its own investigation to see whether a student has violated its code of student conduct.
Ciochetto said the line between flirtation and sexual assault is that of physical touch. Sexual assaults typically involve touching and penetrating, not verbal comments, he said.
"Some guy touches a girl's breast in a bar, and the girl files a report; that could go on the sex offense registry just for that stupid act," he said.
Ciochetto said cases of public indecent exposure, such as public urination, are determined on a case-by-case basis.
lifeline@cm-life.com
But Thompson, sexual aggression services coordinator, said Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates is here to help.
"Anything having to do with sexual aggression, (SAPA members are) very well-trained," he said.
The trauma for victims of sexual assault can lead them to blame or question themselves, Thompson said. He said communication eases recuperation.
Victims never bring sexual assault upon themselves, he said.
"They don't feel a lot of support in our culture because of all the ignorance," he said.
SAPA offers a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week confidential crisis line that can be reached at 774-2255.
The group has made more than 300 contacts during the past year, Thompson said.
"Where would these survivors go if there wasn't a SAPA?" he said.
In addition, Thompson said SAPA puts on roughly one campus program week, including the "No Zebras, No Excuses" program.
Required to register
All convicted sex offenders are required to register in a public sex offender database for between 10 years and life, depending on the severity of their crimes, after they are released from prison, according to Michigan law.
The registry can be found at mipsor.state.mi.us.
"I think that just keeps people informed of the sex offenders who are living in their community," said Michigan State Police trooper Jim Ciochetto.
He said universities do not draw a large number of sex offenders. Sex offenders come from, not to, communities, he said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Isabella County had 157 registered sex offenders, according to the registry.
Ciochetto said the Mount Pleasant Michigan State Police post has experienced an influx in reported sexual offenses during the past few years, though that might mean only reports, not the acts themselves, are more frequent.
Convicted sex offenders have to report and present a valid photo ID once every few months, Ciochetto said.
And upon moving, sex offenders have 10 days to register their new addresses. Failure to do so is a felony, according to Michigan law.
"We're very strict on the laws here," Ciochetto said.
For failing to register a new address, Ciochetto said, 18 people were arrested at the Mount Pleasant post in 2006.
To enforce the law, Ciochetto said the state police periodically make sweeps, visiting and verifying the addresses listed on sex offenders' IDs.
Expulsion a punishment
The university determines and expels students for sexual offenses on a case-by-case basis, university officials said.
Marcie Otteman, acting director of admissions, said a committee reviews all student applications marked with felonies, considering student safety first and foremost.
"What would this person's relationship be with the community at large?" she said.
Tony Voisin, director of student life, said the university conducts its own investigation to see whether a student has violated its code of student conduct.
Ciochetto said the line between flirtation and sexual assault is that of physical touch. Sexual assaults typically involve touching and penetrating, not verbal comments, he said.
"Some guy touches a girl's breast in a bar, and the girl files a report; that could go on the sex offense registry just for that stupid act," he said.
Ciochetto said cases of public indecent exposure, such as public urination, are determined on a case-by-case basis.
lifeline@cm-life.com
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